Getty Gregory Rousseau looks on before a snap in a game against the Chicago Bears.
The Buffalo Bills will be without defensive end Greg Rousseau when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced on Friday that Rousseau was ruled out for the team’s October 8 game against the Jaguars, The Associated Press reported. Rousseau had been nursing a foot injury that kept him out of practice this week, and the Bills will now be without one of their best pass rushers for a key AFC showdown.
Greg Rousseau’s Big Impact
Rousseau, a 2021 first-round draft pick, has been turning in the best season of his career to date. Rousseau has three sacks and nine total tackles with one forced fumble, earning a grade of 81.7 from Pro Football Focus.
Rousseau had two sacks on Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in his team’s 48-20 win in Week 4, a game that brought the Bills into a tie atop the AFC East.
The Bills suffered another major injury in the win over the Dolphins, with All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White suffering a season-ending Achilles tear. After the game, McDermott said the team would be looking to veteran cornerback Dane Jackson to step up in White’s absence.
Coach McDermott has ruled Greg Rousseau out for Sunday’s game.
#JAXvsBUF injury report: t.co/7LlKyBAo9M
“Great example of controlling the things you can control, and taking all your concerns and putting them in another bucket and letting those go, but focusing on what you can control what’s right in front of you,” McDermott said, via Audacy.com. “I’m sure he’d probably tell you he was disappointed, and outside of a very few, just a couple minutes, I was around him and I could just tell. But that’s the competitor in him, where you’re down a little bit. He’s been nothing but exceptional in his mindset, as well, and is willing to contribute in any role to the team. He’s just done a phenomenal job and when he’s gotten out there, he’s been ready to go.”
Sunday’s game against the Jaguars could have key playoff implications, as both teams are favored to win their divisions.
Bills Could Get Big Return
As Rousseau heads to the sidelines, the Bills could get a big addition to their edge rushing unit with the potential return of Von Miller. He was cleared to return to practice this week after starting the year on the PUP list, and expressed optimism that he would be able to play against the Jaguars.
“I know that he’s intent on playing just good team football,” McDermott said. “It’s a welcome addition to the group and having him back. It’s been a journey for him and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy with such a positive mindset, mental toughness, just really goal-oriented on getting back and getting healthy and getting out there on the field.”
Quarterback Josh Allen also spoke about what it would mean to get Miller back on the field less than a year after his season-ending ACL tear, suffered in a Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions.
“I mean, it’s Von Miller. First-ballot Hall of Famer, the juice that he brings for the guys, the trust that everybody has in him, he’s the ultimate closer,” Allen said. “So, whenever he’s ready to go, we’re gonna welcome him with open arms. … It’s a very, very good unit adding a very, very good player – one of the greatest to play.”
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Bills Announce Bad News for Greg Rousseau for Key AFC Showdown